Hurriyet leaders reject so-called elections in IOK

Srinagar, October 26, 2014 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, Hurriyet leaders have reiterated that the Kashmiris would boycott the so-called Assembly elections, saying that the announcement is tantamount to adding insult to the injuries of the flood-affected people of the territory. The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a media interview in Srinagar termed the elections as a futile exercise and urged people to stay from the exercise. He said, “It is unfortunate that polls were announced at the time when Kashmir is crying for help after the devastating floods.”

He added, the announcement “vindicates our stand that India wants to divert the attention of world community from the ground crises in Kashmir”. “Now all focus will be shifted to the election process with the flood victims again left to suffer. This is saddening and unfortunate that such process has again been initiated that has yielded nothing for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

He also slammed New Delhi for blocking the International aid to flood-hit Kashmir, saying the approach adopted proves its mindset vis-à-vis the flood victims.

“On one hand, New Delhi raises hollow slogans of rehabilitation and on the other announces polls dates. How come would they prove to the world that they care for people of Kashmir?” He said: “Elections in no way can be the substitute of right to self-determination. We ask people to reject these polls and stay away.”

The veteran Hurriyet leader Syed Ali Gilani commented on the announcement made by the Indian Election Commission to hold elections in the territory in a media interview in Srinagar said, “India forcibly occupied Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 and continues to hold it at the barrel of gun. Elections held under the framework of Indian Constitution can’t be a substitute to promised plebiscite.”

The so-called elections have never been an issue for us. It can never change the disputed status of Kashmir. However, the announcement of these sham elections has once again proved that India is not concerned about the people of Kashmir. Pro-India parties want to build castles over the graves of Kashmiris.”

The Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Mohammad Yasin Malik said, “Majority of people are in distress but these inhuman pro-India political parties want elections to grab power. They don’t care about people who lost shelter and lakhs of people are homeless. Polls are held during normalcy but entire Valley faced devastation due to recent floods.”

Hurriyet Conference Jammu and Kashmir (HCJK) led by Shabbir Ahmad Shah termed the announcement as the height of political opportunism.”

The Election Commission of India had decided to go ahead with farcical Assembly polls in flood-devastated Kashmir and announced a five-phased schedule between November 23 and December 20.